Land cleared for carbon project at Mólendi in Saltvík sparks local outrage

In a controversial move, land designated for carbon sequestration has been cleared at Mólendi in Saltvík, near Húsavík, causing discontent among locals and environmentalists. A long-time berry picker from the area, Jón Sigurjónsson, expressed his sorrow over the destruction of a beloved natural habitat that has been a key area for berry-picking and a refuge for various bird species.

This summer, extensive ground preparation was undertaken to create a forest aimed at absorbing carbon dioxide. The North Tjörnes Municipality Council approved the use of the approximately 97-hectare site for this initiative, orchestrated by Yggdrasill Carbon, a company involved in selling certified carbon credits to businesses. The plantation is projected to sequester around 45,000 tons of CO2 over 50 years.

Jón has voiced his frustration about the impact on local wildlife and calls the project a significant environmental tragedy. “It is absurd to take the most beautiful and fertile land to destroy it for planting trees,” he lamented.

The Nature Conservation Institute of Northeast Iceland raised concerns that the clearing would threaten local birdlife, particularly that of meadow birds—an area where Iceland has international responsibilities. Ecologist Aðalsteinn Örn Snæþórsson criticized the choice of site, emphasizing its crucial importance for these species.

The mayor of North Tjörnes, Hjálmar Bogi Hafliðason, defended the project, asserting the local government’s commitment to climate action and maintaining that the ecological costs were considered. However, the local community remains divided, with many unhappy about the loss of rich natural landscapes for the sake of carbon offsetting.